World Policy Journal
Volume XVIII, No 3, Fall 2001

 

Arab Democracy: A Possible Dream?
By Mustapha Tlili _*

 

There seems a universal consensus with respect to the Arab world: that it is essentially "undemocratic." More alarming still, neither in political science studies, nor in the media, nor in public opinion as a whole does one detect a reasonable measure of hope that the Arab countries might one day adhere to what are generally regarded as the basic rules of the democratic process. This attitude prevails regardless of political leanings, or whether its advocates are pro- or anti-Arab. Even more unsettling is what one might call the "happy acquiescence" of the majority of the Arab political and intellectual elite in this sad state of affairs. The occasional heroic dissident notwithstanding, co-optation and self-serving compliance have more often predominated among what should be a critical and dynamic intelligentsia.

In short, whether viewed from outside or inside, the Arab world is generally seen as the odd man out in the move of humanity toward universal democratic governance. Though this move began with the demise of communist ideology in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, it has yet to penetrate the no less anti-democratic ideas that form the fabric of political life in the Arab world. Perceived from within or without, the ideology of democracy does not seem to fit into the Arab context.

How much does this correspond to reality? By all accounts, there is a dearth of democratic institutions in the Arab world. Where they formally exist, their only function is often to validate anti-democratic action by the state, and to justify constraints imposed by authoritarian regimes on the free development of civil society. Thus, election results of a surrealistic nature‹presidents elected by 99.96 percent of the vote‹are more often the norm than the exception. The misguided vote of the Lilliputian 0.04 percent, an expression of democratic vitality as it may be‹we really have to use our imaginations here‹should be of concern to all those who care about political stability and the well-being of the citizenry in these countries. Needless to say, Arab regimes are very much aware of the lack of enthusiasm of this tiny minority, and they do what they can to close the gap to 100 percent approval. Free speech is routinely suppressed in the name of the special brand of "pluralism" celebrated in some so-called republics, whether in the Mashreck (Arab Middle East) or the Maghreb.

Despite the attention of the outside world and what by any estimation is a wealth of indigenous intellectual talent, objective and critical analysis of this situation seems persistently absent. Too often, external and specious considerations divert the debate from dispassionate analysis toward pointless polemic. Yet democratization in the Arab realm is a vital issue for the world, with global implications that range from energy policy to more traditional security concerns. Here the question is explored for its own sake, and for the sake of the Arab peoples themselves, who, in our view, have the right to‹and deserve as much as any other society and people‹free speech, the rule of law, and free and fair elections, in short, good governance. The following essays by Hussein A. Hassouna and Lisa Anderson touch not only upon political and economic issues but upon the significantly more complicated but vital cultural and philosophical questions.

Hussein A. Hassouna is the ambassador of the League of Arab States to the United Nations and to the United States. He is an accomplished diplomat and scholar. Lisa Anderson, dean of Columbia University¹s School of International and Public Affairs, is a distinguished political scientist, acclaimed for her work on the Arab world. She is the author of the classic The State and Social Transformation in Tunisia and Libya 1830­1980. Both essays were originally presented at a panel discussion on the question of democracy in the Arab world in the World Policy Institute¹s ongoing series of public seminars and policy discussions.

Postscript‹As this issue was closing, crimes of unspeakable horror occurred that seemed in their immediate aftermath to seriously challenge our rational approach to policy. There is no doubt in our mind that the terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C. fall into the category of crimes against humanity, if not from a legal point of view, certainly from a moral one. Our basic humanity was under attack on September 11, 2001. That day, we‹all decent human beings‹were Americans. The magnitude of the horror should not, however, cloud our judgment. Fundamental questions of policy have still to be asked to understand what happened in order to root out terrorism in all its forms, and to build a new framework of lasting peace and security for this country and the rest of the world, including the Arab world. The articles offered in the following pages, which were written before the terrible events of September 11, should be read as a contribution to this necessary and salutary effort.

Endnotes

Note *: Mustapha Tlili is Senior Fellow and Director of the United Nations Project World Policy Institute. Back